Deep Throat: Rehnquist?

I keep hearing the buzz that Deep Throat, the famous secret source for Woodward and Bernstein’s story that broke the Watergate scandal wide open, is a very sick man and is near death. Chief Justice Rehnquist was a Nixon appointee to the Supreme Court in 1972, and I think he was in the Nixon Administration before that. Rehnquist has cancer, and certainly looked pretty bad at the inauguration. Bob Woodward keeps saying he won’t reveal Deep Throat’s identity until the source dies.
Why couldn’t it be Rehnquist? I don’t think I’m out to lunch here. I recall somebody speculating that it was George H. W. Bush, but he looked hale and hearty at the SuperBowl this past Sunday. Until I hear of another sick Nixon Administration official, my bet’s on Rehnquist.
—UPDATE: In the 1974 case of United States v. Nixon, the Supreme Court ruled 8-0 that the President had to turn over his secret audiotapes to the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal. Justice Rehnquist recused himself, and everybody assumed the reason was his status as a Nixon appointee. Could the reason for his recusal be that he was Deep Throat? I wonder who Rehnquist’s law clerks were back then; they might know quite a bit.UPDATE 2: The lefties at Kevin Drum’s blog are speculating. Looks like I’m not the only one pinning the tail on Rehnquist. So far, Google News has got zip for a query with Rehnquist “Deep Throat” … so far. PPK Blog thinks it’s the Chief too.UPDATE 3: K-Lo wonders about Rehnquist, thanks to D Magazine‘s quoting Kevin McCarthy.UPDATE 4:Great minds …UPDATE 5: Beth’s on the Rehnquist train too.UPDATE 6: Drumwaster thinks it’s Gerald Ford, but I’m not sure Ford was as much of a cipher as Drumwaster makes him out to be. There’s really no such thing as a low-profile VP anymore.

Post navigation

7 Replies to “Deep Throat: Rehnquist?”

Brain Shavings has some thoughts on the identity of “Deep Throat”–and considering it’s being said that DT is ailing, his conclusion makes sense. Any pools going on this? I’ll be in with Rehnquist.
I love this post&#8…

I think Ford (who will turn 92 this July) is a winner. He was the House Minority Leader, was a member of the Warren Commission (investigating Kennedy’s assassination), had lots of connections throughout DC, and (as VPOTUS) would have been an unimpeachable source of the data at the highest level, but would not have wanted his identity revealed, even decades afterwards.
Before becoming Chief Justice, Justice Rehnquist was too low down the food chain (as a mere Assistant AG) to have access to the inner workings at the White House and CRP. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 71, and would have done everything he could to stay out of politics, because if his name ever did slip (even by accident) it would destroy the Court, even if that revelation happened after his death. And Woodward would have to know that. He could just as easily say he had sworn never to reveal it, and carry the secret with him to the grave.
Bradley (the fourth – and last – person who knows the real name) would be more willing to believe that the House Minority Leader, with years of experience in DC politics and press interaction, would have sensitive White House information than he would the new Associate Justice (and previous second level political appointee).
If Justice Rehnquist had showed up at the Nixon White House, it would have been a formal meeting, but good ol’ Jerry Ford (R-MI) would have been simply pointed towards the coffee machine and be on a first-name basis with senior staffers.
If it is Ford, he is already beyond reach, and people would accept it as “just politics”. If it is Rehnquist, the Court will take a hit like none we’ve ever seen, especially after the 2000 contretemps.
Just my opinion, but a reasoned one…

Keith Olbermann, no doubt thankful that something is finally happening in the world so he can lay off Focus on the Family, is all over the story about Watergate’s Deep Throat being ill and, depending on through whom you heard…

I would like to believe that it is Ford, but deep throat is sworn to be a heavy scotch drinker. Betty Ford started the Ford clinic for Gods sake. He never smoked a day in his life (check your history) the only thing tieing him to the absolute identity of deep throat is that he was the VP and he is dieing quite quickly. Rehnquist fits the bill, dieing of cancer, magically becomes SC Justice from…of all people…Nixon (who could have used the position placement to keep Rehnquist happy and his mouth shut) he is a heavy scotch drinker and he smoked ALOT in the past (again check your history) I believe that the facts hold more true to be Rehnquist than anyone else including the HEAVY HEAVY facts of it being Pat Buchanon. You all need to check http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/700470/posts
that website will give you chills of actual facts and possibilities. My props to the students working on that project. They actually contacted the five people the concluded as Deep Throat and four of the five said absolute NO WAY, but the fifth, pat buchanon said, “No Comment” and his staff immediately discontinued any and all interaction with the university.